12 practice questions from the 325 in this chapter of StudyWren Aviation. Pick an answer and check it to see the explanation and its FAA source.
Prognostic & Significant Weather ChartsPAR-09-222
How far ahead do the SPC Convective Outlooks forecast?
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The answer is B: Up to 8 days, with categorical outlooks for Days 1 through 3
SPC Convective Outlooks give the potential for severe and general convection during the following 8 days. Days 1 through 3 show categorical risks and general thunderstorms, and days 4 through 8 use probabilistic thresholds. They are planning tools, not in-flight hazard advisories.
The answer is B: Up to 8 days, with categorical outlooks for Days 1 through 3
SPC Convective Outlooks give the potential for severe and general convection during the following 8 days. Days 1 through 3 show categorical risks and general thunderstorms, and days 4 through 8 use probabilistic thresholds. They are planning tools, not in-flight hazard advisories.
A NEXRAD image shows no echoes over your route. Which conclusion is correct?
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The answer is C: Clouds, fog, or IFR conditions may still exist; radar detects precipitation
A clear radar display does not mean there is no significant weather. Weather radar detects precipitation, not clouds or fog, so low ceilings and poor visibility can exist with no echoes.
The answer is C: Clouds, fog, or IFR conditions may still exist; radar detects precipitation
A clear radar display does not mean there is no significant weather. Weather radar detects precipitation, not clouds or fog, so low ceilings and poor visibility can exist with no echoes.
Light snow from low clouds is falling at an airport 150 NM from the nearest WSR-88D, but no echoes appear on the single-site image. What is the most likely reason?
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The answer is C: At that range the beam is too high and overshoots the shallow precipitation
Beam overshooting occurs because the lowest radar beam gains height with distance. It is near 18,000 feet at 124 NM, so low-topped stratiform precipitation far from the radar may not be displayed. The cone of silence is directly above the radar site.
Why not ?
Source: FAA-H-8083-28B Sec. 15.2.8·Sec. 24.6.1.5.3·ACS PA.I.C
The answer is C: At that range the beam is too high and overshoots the shallow precipitation
Beam overshooting occurs because the lowest radar beam gains height with distance. It is near 18,000 feet at 124 NM, so low-topped stratiform precipitation far from the radar may not be displayed. The cone of silence is directly above the radar site.
Source: FAA-H-8083-28B Sec. 15.2.8·Sec. 24.6.1.5.3·ACS PA.I.C
An animated radar loop shows blotchy echoes that "bloom up" and fade randomly with no continuity of motion, while real showers nearby move steadily. What are the blotchy echoes most likely to be?
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The answer is A: Anomalous propagation (AP), false ground echoes from a bent radar beam
AP is an extended pattern of ground echoes caused by superrefraction bending the beam to the ground. When animated, AP blooms up and dissipates randomly, while thunderstorms move with a smooth, continuous motion.
The answer is A: Anomalous propagation (AP), false ground echoes from a bent radar beam
AP is an extended pattern of ground echoes caused by superrefraction bending the beam to the ground. When animated, AP blooms up and dissipates randomly, while thunderstorms move with a smooth, continuous motion.
A thunderstorm cell is moving toward your route at 36 knots. Your FIS-B NEXRAD display labels the image as 5 minutes old, and the AIM warns that the weather depicted may be 15 to 20 minutes older than indicated. In the worst case, how far might the cell have moved since the radar data was collected?
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The answer is A: About 15 NM
In the worst case the weather shown is 20 minutes older than its label, so it is 5 + 20 = 25 minutes old. At 36 knots the cell moves 36 x 25/60 = 15 NM. Using only the 5-minute label gives 3 NM, and using 20 minutes in total (the label plus the low end of 15 minutes, or the extra 20 minutes alone) gives 12 NM.
In the worst case the weather shown is 20 minutes older than its label, so it is 5 + 20 = 25 minutes old. At 36 knots the cell moves 36 x 25/60 = 15 NM. Using only the 5-minute label gives 3 NM, and using 20 minutes in total (the label plus the low end of 15 minutes, or the extra 20 minutes alone) gives 12 NM.
When precipitation is present, the WSR-88D operates in Precipitation Mode. About how often are its images updated in this mode?
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The answer is B: About every 4 to 6 minutes
The faster antenna rotation in Precipitation Mode updates images about every 4 to 6 minutes. In Clear Air Mode, which is more sensitive, images update about every 10 minutes.
The faster antenna rotation in Precipitation Mode updates images about every 4 to 6 minutes. In Clear Air Mode, which is more sensitive, images update about every 10 minutes.
Why is visible satellite imagery of little use for a pilot's 0300 local preflight check?
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The answer is A: Visible imagery shows reflected sunlight, so it is useful only during daylight
Visible imagery is produced from sunlight reflected by clouds and the surface, so it is only useful during daylight. Infrared and water vapor imagery are available day and night.
The answer is A: Visible imagery shows reflected sunlight, so it is useful only during daylight
Visible imagery is produced from sunlight reflected by clouds and the surface, so it is only useful during daylight. Infrared and water vapor imagery are available day and night.
On an infrared (IR) satellite image, a large area of very cold cloud tops (about -60 °C) appears over Kansas. What does this most likely indicate?
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The answer is B: High cloud tops, such as large thunderstorms or thick high-level cloud
IR imagery shows the temperature of cloud tops, or of the surface when skies are clear. Because temperature normally decreases with height, very cold tops indicate high clouds. Low clouds and fog appear relatively warm.
The answer is B: High cloud tops, such as large thunderstorms or thick high-level cloud
IR imagery shows the temperature of cloud tops, or of the surface when skies are clear. Because temperature normally decreases with height, very cold tops indicate high clouds. Low clouds and fog appear relatively warm.
What does water vapor satellite imagery primarily show?
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The answer is B: Moisture in the middle and upper troposphere, not low clouds or fog
Water vapor imagery shows the amount of water vapor between roughly 700 mb (about 10,000 feet) and 200 mb (about FL390). It is useful for locating weather systems, jet streams and thunderstorms, but it does not see low clouds such as fog.
The answer is B: Moisture in the middle and upper troposphere, not low clouds or fog
Water vapor imagery shows the amount of water vapor between roughly 700 mb (about 10,000 feet) and 200 mb (about FL390). It is useful for locating weather systems, jet streams and thunderstorms, but it does not see low clouds such as fog.
On nighttime GeoColor satellite imagery, what do areas shown in blue typically represent?
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The answer is A: Low liquid-water clouds, such as fog and stratus
At night, GeoColor uses an IR-based product: blue shows liquid water clouds such as fog and stratus, and gray to white shows higher ice clouds. City lights come from a static database.
The answer is A: Low liquid-water clouds, such as fog and stratus
At night, GeoColor uses an IR-based product: blue shows liquid water clouds such as fog and stratus, and gray to white shows higher ice clouds. City lights come from a static database.
The answer is A: An automated, hourly 3D estimate of icing probability, severity, and SLD
CIP combines satellite, radar, METAR, PIREP and model data into an hourly 3D diagnosis of the icing environment. It has no forecaster modifications. Graphics show icing probability, severity, and severity plus SLD from 1,000 feet MSL to FL300.
The answer is A: An automated, hourly 3D estimate of icing probability, severity, and SLD
CIP combines satellite, radar, METAR, PIREP and model data into an hourly 3D diagnosis of the icing environment. It has no forecaster modifications. Graphics show icing probability, severity, and severity plus SLD from 1,000 feet MSL to FL300.
How should a pilot use the Forecast Icing Product (FIP)?
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The answer is A: As supplemental guidance used together with AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and PIREPs
The FIP is derived from computer model data with no forecaster modification and is available for selected times out to 18 hours. The handbook says the FIP should be used in conjunction with AIRMETs and SIGMETs. Its intensity categories are broad indications of accretion rate.
Why not ?
Source: FAA-H-8083-28B Sec. 27.13·Sec. 25.5·ACS PA.I.C
The answer is A: As supplemental guidance used together with AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and PIREPs
The FIP is derived from computer model data with no forecaster modification and is available for selected times out to 18 hours. The handbook says the FIP should be used in conjunction with AIRMETs and SIGMETs. Its intensity categories are broad indications of accretion rate.
Source: FAA-H-8083-28B Sec. 27.13·Sec. 25.5·ACS PA.I.C
